Taylor River to Big Creek Falls and Snoqualmie Lake

The trail was wet but no washouts or blowdowns for the first portion of the hike. Trail is well marked up to the fork with the Nordrum Lake trail at approximately 5.5 mi and is flat and easily navigated, with <800ft elevation over 5.5 mi. It was a really nice and quiet walk through the forest with intermittent views of Garfield Mtn to hiker's right as well as views of the Taylor River.

The second half of the trail after taking the left fork to Snoqualmie Lake is more rugged with some rock steps and intermittent easy talus crossings with a moderate climb with total approximate gain of 1350 ft over 2 mi (from 1800 ft at the fork to 3150 ft at the lake) following the Taylor River to Snoqualmie Lake. Along the way there are some nice views of waterfalls as the river makes its way downhill as well as further intermittent views of Garfield Mtn and Treen Peak. A few downed trees across the trail were easily navigated.

Patches of snow began appearing around 2900ft and became deeper and more persistent above 3000ft. The snow was quite difficult to traverse without traction as it was wet and slippery but also remained quite weak - it was easy to break through and posthole 2-3 feet in parts even when on the trail. Some minimal ice patches can be a bit tricky without traction. Would recommend yaktrax/microspikes +/- poles and gaiters (wet slushy socks suck!) for the last 200 feet climb to the lake (~1 mile distance), as going was very slow without (I didn't put mine on until descending). I'm sure Snowshoes would have made my life a bit easier, but it seemed silly to fiddle with them for just 200ft of climb. Low avalanche risk today per NWAC, route does not cross any major avy chutes. 

Views at the lake are awesome - the lake ice is holding but appears to have begun a decent amount of melt - the lake ice is a beautiful light blue which contrasts with the snow. Definitely wouldn't walk on it, though. Mosquitoes are already out at the lake, but not really a nuisance yet.

Weather forecast was overcast in the morning with rain later in the day. Temperature was 40F at 0800 with temperatures 35-40F at the lake and 45-50F at the TH on my return at 1600. Total hike time was 8 hours (7 hours moving with 1 hour of breaks) with delays due to deep wet snow above 3000ft and some minor blowdowns above 1800ft. Got pretty soaked due to heavy rain on the way down.

Overall, a nice and gentle longer day hike - about 15 mi to the lake and back with about 2200 ft total elevation gain. Views of Garfield Mtn and Treen Peak are only intermittent through the trees, but the lake views make up for it in my opinion. The area is very secluded given it's only 1 hour from Seattle and 12 miles from North Bend/Tanner - I didn't see a soul other than an elk and a plethora of birds. Would absolutely go again when it's drier when I'm in the mood for a long day hike with moderate elevation gain - it's very similar in profile to the Kendall Katwalk hike to Gravel/Ridge lakes (minus the expansive ridge views, that is).